Bulawayo’s Roads Deteriorate as Heavy Rains Deepen Potholes, Disrupting Public Transport

Bulawayo’s road infrastructure is rapidly deteriorating under the strain of heavy rains, leaving deep potholes that are forcing commuter omnibus operators to abandon smaller roads in both western and eastern suburbs.

The worsening road conditions have severely disrupted public transport, with some routes becoming completely inaccessible. Passengers who were once conveniently dropped off near their homes now endure long, often unsafe walks, increasing their vulnerability to crime.

In Magwegwe North, kombis previously navigated various stops within the suburb, but impassable roads have forced drivers to limit drop-offs to a single terminus. This change has left residents like Martha Ncube, a local vegetable vendor, struggling to get to work safely.

“Crime has escalated because people are forced to walk long distances in the dark. I have to leave home at 4 AM to buy vegetables in town, and walking to the terminus at that hour is terrifying,” she said.

The situation is no better in Pumula North, where Sibusiso Ndoro, a father of three, now faces an increased risk of danger when walking home. “Kombis used to drop us near Pumula High School, but now they turn back at the main road to avoid the potholes. I’ve even had to run after hearing footsteps behind me at night. It’s a scary situation.”

While passengers struggle with safety concerns, transport operators are grappling with soaring maintenance costs. Roads riddled with potholes are wreaking havoc on vehicles, leading to frequent repairs.

Anesu Muvima, a kombi driver, shared his frustration: “The fare is R10 per passenger, but it’s not worth the damage to my vehicle. I’ve repaired my suspension three times in two months. I simply can’t afford to drive into Pumula East anymore.”

Bulawayo United Passenger Transporters Association (BUPTA) chairman, Morgan Msipa, echoed these concerns. “There’s a road in Richmond—Glenvire Road—that’s in terrible condition. Kombi operators aren’t refusing to take passengers home out of malice; they just can’t afford the constant repairs.”

The road crisis extends beyond the suburbs and into the city centre, where potholes have turned major roads into hazardous zones. At the intersection of Lobengula Street and 3rd Avenue, a massive pothole has plagued motorists for months, forcing them to swerve dangerously to avoid it.

Malvin “Kruger” Ncube, a local motorist and former Team VW Bulawayo president, has experienced firsthand the financial burden of these roads. “I cracked two of my 18-inch rims in the city centre due to potholes. Fixing suspensions, replacing tyres, and repairing rims is draining my finances.”

Authorities acknowledge the issue, but solutions remain slow. Ward 17 Councillor Sikhululekile Moyo stated that efforts are underway to address the problem.

“A grader has been assigned to repair the road leading to St Peter’s Village past Robert Sinyoka Primary School. We are pushing for more funding to fix roads citywide.”

Despite some patchwork repairs, Bulawayo City Council (BCC) reports that over 2,400 km of roads require rehabilitation, with many needing complete reconstruction.

Until substantial action is taken, commuters, motorists, and public transport operators will continue to bear the brunt of the city’s crumbling infrastructure.